Pope calls for Ukraine truce on Palm Sunday

Pope Francis began Holy Week with a call for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make room for a negotiated peace. The Palm Sunday Mass began with a procession with dozens of priests and bishops carrying palm and olive branches through St. Peter's Square. Celebrating Palm Sunday before crowds in St. Peter's Square for the first time since the pandemic, Francis called for "weapons to be laid down to begin an Easter truce.
"Francis did not refer directly to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and he has repeatedly denounced the conflict and the suffering brought to innocent civilians. Catholics hold palm and olive branches at Mass on Palm Sunday as a symbol of peace.